District court judge refuses jurisdiction in case of man accused of attempting to rob woman returning to Cork hotel

A district court judge refused to accept jurisdiction in a case where there was an attempted robbery of a woman returning to her hotel in Cork city, as he said that a sentence measured in years would be more appropriate if the accused man was convicted.

Judge David Waters said a sentence measured in months rather than years was the range for the district court, which would not be sufficient in this case, so he was refusing to accept jurisdiction. 

He said this kind of crime against a woman at night would have to be sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for trial by judge and jury.

Twenty-five-year-old Michael Doody of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, is charged with carrying out an attempted robbery at around 3am on March 14 as the woman and her friend, aged in their 50s, who were socialising in the city made their way back to their hotel.

CCTV of the alleged incident was examined by members of An Garda Síochána, and Michael Doody was identified.

Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway outlined the allegations in the case: “This charge relates to an alleged offence which occurred on March 14 on Patrick St, Cork. It will be the State’s case that Michael Doody committed an attempted robbery in the early hours of the morning at around 3am, during which a female was approached from behind by a lone male who attempted to violently pull her handbag from her.

“The suspect male proceeded to drag the injured party to the ground while pulling at her handbag. The suspect then dragged the female victim along the footpath while attempting to take her handbag. Her friend assisted her, and she was also knocked to the ground.

“The suspect then ceased in his attempts and fled the scene. 

The defendant was remanded on bail until September 29, on the application of Sergeant John Dineen, to allow for preparation and service of a book of evidence.